Five-star Indianapolis power forward Trey Lyles, whose high-profile recruitment has come down to a race between the universities of Kentucky and Louisville, will announce his college decision at 12:55 p.m. EST Tuesday in the west gym of his school, Arsenal Tech.

Lyles’ announcement will air live on ESPNU on his 18th birthday. The 6-foot-10 senior decided last week that this is the day he wanted to make his commitment, Tech coach Jason Delaney said.

The coaching staffs at both UK and U of L came to watch Lyles practice last week.

“He had his last talks with the schools, and I think he’s clear on where he wants to continue his education and playing career,” Delaney said. “… We’re excited for him.”

The coach said he believes only Lyles and his parents know his final decision and was unsure when Lyles planned to inform UK coach John Calipari and U of L’s Rick Pitino of his decision; he thought it could have been either Sunday night or would be Monday night.

“It’s two quality programs,” Delaney said. “They’ve won the last two national championships. You could choose either one, and you’re going to get a great coaching staff. You have Hall of Fame coaches. You have coaches who will develop you as (a person) and (with basketball) skills.

“Either way he’s going to go to a great program that he’s going to have to earn everything. That’s what he wants. He doesn’t want anything to be given to him. He wants to earn his playing time, and that’s a comment he’s made, and that’s going to develop him as a person. He’s such a great kid that as a coach. I feel fully confident that either one he goes to that he’s going to be successful at.”

Lyles, a highly skilled for a player of his size, is ranked as the nation’s No. 7 prospect by ESPN.com, No. 8 by Rivals.com and Scout.com and No. 17 by 247Sports.com.

He made an official visit to U of L over Labor Day weekend, and visited UK Oct. 18, the same weekend as Big Blue Madness.

Lyles, a former Indiana University commitment who is a top candidate for Indiana Mr. Basketball honors in 2014, would be a signature member of the recruiting class for either the Cardinals or the Wildcats and would figure to be a strong candidate to be a starter as a freshman for either team.

“Trey is going to have a chance to be a standout at either one he goes to. He’s a main piece of both schools’ recruiting,” Delaney said.

Delaney said both teams also have discussed the potential for Lyles to be a one-year college player who could go straight to the NBA. The coach said he has no doubt that Lyles will one day be a successful pro.

As of Monday afternoon, more than 90 percent of the recruiting media participating in the 247Sports' Crystal Ball feature predicted Lyles would commit to UK.

Lyles' father told The Courier-Journal earlier this fall that he expected his son to wait until the spring to make his decision. The timing of the Tuesday decision is interesting because it will be made before the 2013-14 college season starts in earnest, meaning Lyles won't know exactly which underclassman players — namely those from Kentucky — are turning pro after this season and which will remain on the roster next year when Lyles would arrive as a freshman.

He averaged 17.5 points, 14 rebounds and 4.5 assists last season for Tech and will become the school’s all-time leader in scoring, surpassing Frank Kendrick, and rebounding (Landon Turner) this season.

Lyles, who lived in Canada as a child, averaged 20.3 points after Team Canada in last summers FIBA U-19 World Championships — trailing only teammate Tyler Ennis, now a freshman at Syracuse, in scoring in the tournament.